Huaisheng Mosque

The Huaisheng Mosque is the main Muslim shrine in Guangzhou. The construction of an unconventional temple for the country symbolizes the respectful attitude of the Chinese towards representatives of various religious denominations. For tourists, it is attractive for its beauty and historical and cultural significance. China is not a Muslim country, but visitors to the country can visit beautiful Muslim temples.

The History of Huaisheng Mosque

The ancient history of the temple's creation explains the inaccuracies associated with determining the time of foundation. There are two theories, the more common one among the residents of the city indicates that the order to build the Huaisheng Mosque was given by Saad ibn Abu Waqqasa. The exact date of its foundation is currently unknown, but it is believed that it was built in the 7th century. The second version is less popular, according to this theory, the Huaisheng Mosque was built in the 10th century. In any case, everyone is aware of how rich the history of the temple is. Over a thousand years, the shrine burned several times, but it was regularly restored. There are two global reconstructions known to history - in 1350 and 1695. It is believed that the minaret was preserved in its original form, the strong stone walls were immune to fire. It is recognized as one of the most ancient preserved minarets.

Architecture of the Huaisheng Mosque

The minaret is a tall tower, it looks quite ascetic against the background of a decorated mosque. The height is about 35 meters, before the start of active construction of skyscrapers, it was considered the tallest building in the city. When sailing up to the city, the captains were guided to the top of the tower, and to determine the weather conditions they climbed to the very top.

The Huaisheng Mosque in Guangzhou is somewhat different from similar temples in Muslim countries. Elements of traditional Chinese architecture and classical Muslim traditions are organically intertwined in the exterior of the mosque. The green roofs are multi-tiered, and their gables are bent upwards. The windows are long and narrow, and the columns are decorated with carvings.

How to get there

First of all, it is important to understand that the mosque is not a cultural monument, but a functioning temple where worship services are regularly held. Non-Muslims, even tourists, can't get inside. But this does not prevent you from enjoying the appearance of the Huaisheng Mosque. You can walk around the courtyard, shaded by trees. If you are tired, you can relax on a bench. The mosque operates according to Muslim traditions during daylight hours. Muslims can enter for free.